So about half a dozen Ronalds have hit me up asking when I’m going to review KOTR North’s latest smash event, North East Is East. Well, the fact is that I headed up to Hull a day early to catch up with some people, and the good folk of that fair city go HARD. If you know, you know.

As a result, I actually remember precious little of the event. However, I am a humble servant of this battle culture, so I’ll do what I can to immortalise this (probably) fantastic event for the ages. I’m Bard, this is the KOTR blog, let’s get disrespectful.

Disrespect came to Acton last Saturday, with King of the Ronalds bringing four and a half big slices of battle rap to the people. Battle rap just like your nan used to make before she went to live in Basingstoke. I’m Bard, I’m here to let you know what went down and no, your nan didn’t go to live in Basingstoke. She’s dead.

Tony D vs Pedro dropped on KOTR this week and it’s been picking up views like Bowski picks up items from the Pound Saver Menu. March 2nd 2015 is a day that will forever live in the memory of battle fans and, now that the dust has settled, many have been coming to the (correct) conclusion that this is one of the best UK vs UK releases in recent memory.

But why? You know old Bard, us forum nerds like to over-analyse the sound of our own farts. With that in mind, and in a break from the usual format, join me as we pick this match apart to see why it was, quite literally, the right match at the right time in the right place.

With the dust finally beginning to settle around the shattered remains of Kilburn, it’s time to recap King of the Ronalds: The End of the Beginning. An event as rich in fun and great battles as it was packed with the kind of controversy you’ve come to expect from the world’s most disrespectful MC battle arena, it’s time to sit back and try to figure out where it all went so right.

With a string of strong events kicking off the year, King of the Ronalds is suplexing battle rap into 2015 with the launch of Monday Night Raw battles. Because only tempting one big company to sue us just wasn’t enough. Accompanying this whole new gamut of vernacular strife we have what is quite possibly the best UK vs UK card you’ll see this year. So far. It’s the end of the beginning. It’s KotR’s first birthday and we’re going to look at these battles, you and I.

With a last-minute venue upgrade bringing the party to the Good Ship on Kilburn High Road, King of the Ronalds kicked off 2015 the only way we know how with Britain Last. A solid card, the event promised to bring fans back to the cowboy days of battle events which were at once intimate and raucous. With the likes of Cruger, Soljitsu, Danny Jaqq, Willzy and promising newcomer Smart Alex in the audience it was all but assured that the true essence of UK battle rap would be properly observed… whatever that means.

Remember when Ether happened? It was a thing. Yeah, it was alright. A few sound issues and Diz/Cassidy popped off… second time around. It was a battle event, nothing less and certainly nothing more.

Remember when exactly the same thing happened with Total Slaughter? People are always going to poo-poo events which just about slither by, especially with that level of publicity. Both led people to believe that hype and money could turn battle rap into something bigger than it is. Now let’s be real with each other, battling is already pretty big right now. The talk is all about ‘what’s next?’ Has battle rap peaked? I don’t think it has, it’s just lost.